Latest news with #DepartmentofSocialWelfare
Irish Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Warning issued as payment change on the way for social welfare recipients
Social welfare recipients are being warned of an upcoming payment date change which will see some sums landing in bank accounts early. This shake-up comes ahead of the August Bank Holiday, which will see banks and post offices closed on Monday, August 4. This means that anyone expecting a social welfare payment on Monday, August 4 will most likely be paid early. This is to ensure that no one receives a late payment as a result of the banks being closed. The Department of Social Welfare typically issues payments on the Friday before the bank holiday, so recipients can expect to collect their payments on Friday, August 1. This will be the case with each bank holiday this year, and you can find the full list of remaining bank holidays for 2025 below: Monday, October 27 - October Bank Holiday Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day Friday, December 26 - St Stephen's Day Child Benefit payments will not be affected by the upcoming Bank Holiday as these are issued on the first Tuesday of each month when all Intreo centres and branch offices reopen after the day off. Therefore, if you receive Child Benefit, your payment will be processed as usual on Tuesday, August 5, without any changes. Those expecting other types of payments should be prepared for the possibility of receiving them earlier than expected due to the closure of the banks and post offices. Meanwhile, John Paul O'Shea, a Fine Gael TD and Chairman of the powerful Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, hsa said that a €12 dole rise 'will not be feasible' in October's Budget 2026 as he said there is 'no reason' why people should be on the payment for more than 12 months. New figures provided to the Irish Mirror by the Department of Social Protection confirmed that 46,940 people had been on Jobseeker's Allowance for more than one year. Some 9,809 people have been receiving the payment for between two and three years, while 5,066 people have been on Jobseekers for three to four years. Another 2,784 people have been receiving the weekly payment for four to five years. In total, 13,391 people have been on Jobseekers for more than five years. Of these, 8,487 people have been in receipt of it for more than five years, while 4,904 have been classified as unemployed for a decade or more. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia increases aid for 2025 to ease cost of living pressures
KUALA LUMPUR: The increase in the allocation for various forms of financial assistance for 2025 proves the commitment of the MADANI Government in its efforts to reduce the cost of living pressures faced by the people, while also driving sustainable and resilient economic growth. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said among the key initiatives was the increase in the allocation for the Sumbangan TunaI Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) to RM13 billion this year, compared to RM10 billion, which benefits almost nine million recipients or 60 per cent of the adult population. 'The maximum rate for households in 2025 has also been increased to RM4,600, an increase of almost 25 per cent compared to RM3,700 in 2024. 'The government has also raised the allocation for assistance under the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) to RM2.9 billion for 2025 compared to RM2.4 billion previously,' she said in reply to a question by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin during question and answer session at Dewan Rakyat today. Hamzah raised a question regarding the government's strategy to reduce the burden of the people's cost of living, following the country's total debt which has now reached RM1.5 trillion. Lim said other assistance included the Elderly Assistance being increased to RM600 per month compared to RM500, an increase in the Child Assistance for Poor Families to RM250 (six years and below) and RM200 (seven to 18 years), subject to a maximum rate of RM1,000 per family. Also increased is the General Assistance in the Federal Territories to RM150 per month compared to RM100, with a maximum rate of RM500 per family. 'The government has also allocated RM1 billion for various initiatives to address the cost of living comprehensively, including price control of basic goods such as rice and cooking oil. 'Of that amount, RM300 million is allocated specifically for the RAHMAH Umbrella Programme, including the expansion of RAHMAH Sales to all state constituencies to offer basic goods at affordable prices,' he said. She said the remaining RM700 million was used to expand the implementation of other cost of living reduction programmes targeting the B40 and M40 groups. In addition, Lim said the government would also continue the Early Schooling Aid (BAP) as a strategic effort to help parents provide for their children's educational needs, in addition to the MADANI Subsidy Assistance (BUDI MADANI) as a subsidy to the public transport sector, farmers, breeders, smallholders and individual diesel vehicle owners. 'The government is also implementing the My50 Monthly Pass which benefits public transport users in the Klang Valley, especially from the B40 and M40 groups,' she said. She said increasing the people's income was also given focus through the increase in civil servant salaries and the minimum wage which was increased from RM1,500 to RM1,700. 'These measures are important to ensure that the country's economy continues to grow towards realising the objectives under the MADANI Economy framework,' she said. - Bernama
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Dewan Rakyat: Aid Increase For The People In 2025, Shows Govt's Commitment To Lower Cost Of Livng
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The increase in the allocation for various forms of financial assistance for 2025 proves the commitment of the MADANI Government in its efforts to reduce the cost of living pressures faced by the people, while also driving sustainable and resilient economic growth. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said among the key initiatives was the increase in the allocation for the Sumbangan TunaI Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) to RM13 billion this year, compared to RM10 billion, which benefits almost nine million recipients or 60 per cent of the adult population. 'The maximum rate for households in 2025 has also been increased to RM4,600, an increase of almost 25 per cent compared to RM3,700 in 2024. 'The government has also raised the allocation for assistance under the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) to RM2.9 billion for 2025 compared to RM2.4 billion previously,' she said in reply to a question by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin during question and answer session at Dewan Rakyat today. Hamzah raised a question regarding the government's strategy to reduce the burden of the people's cost of living, following the country's total debt which has now reached RM1.5 trillion. Lim said other assistance included the Elderly Assistance being increased to RM600 per month compared to RM500, an increase in the Child Assistance for Poor Families to RM250 (six years and below) and RM200 (seven to 18 years), subject to a maximum rate of RM1,000 per family. Also increased is the General Assistance in the Federal Territories to RM150 per month compared to RM100, with a maximum rate of RM500 per family. 'The government has also allocated RM1 billion for various initiatives to address the cost of living comprehensively, including price control of basic goods such as rice and cooking oil. 'Of that amount, RM300 million is allocated specifically for the RAHMAH Umbrella Programme, including the expansion of RAHMAH Sales to all state constituencies to offer basic goods at affordable prices,' he said.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Delhi Chief Minister Flags Irregularities In Widow Pension And Disability Aid
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday ordered a full review of the city's welfare schemes, citing "serious irregularities" in widow pensions and disability support handed out under the previous Aam Aadmi Party administration. Chairing a crucial meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, Chief Minister Gupta said government aid meant for the most vulnerable was being misused and promised corrective action. "Many women who were not eligible were granted pensions unchecked. Our government will not allow such malpractice," Chief Minister Gupta told senior officials from the Department of Social Welfare and the Department for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. "Those who truly need help will get it. But those found ineligible will be removed from the list." The remarks come amid rising concerns over transparency in the city's social safety net. The Chief Minister accused the former AAP government of "cheating the underprivileged" and turning a blind eye to lapses that allowed benefits to flow to ineligible individuals. A key reform discussed during the meeting was the rollout of digital ID cards for persons with disabilities (PwDs) to tighten beneficiary records. Officials were also directed to address long delays in issuing disability certificates and streamline coordination between departments. Among the schemes under review is the Financial Assistance for Senior Citizens programme, which pays Rs 2,000 - Rs 2,500 a month to over four lakh beneficiaries, mainly from scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) and low-income groups. The PwD scheme, covering roughly 1.34 lakh individuals, also faces scrutiny over outdated records and inconsistencies in documentation. The Delhi Family Benefit Scheme (DFBS), which offers one-time assistance of Rs 20,000 to families who lose their main earning member, has supported around 1,100 dependants to date. SMILE, a scheme aimed at rehabilitating individuals involved in begging, offers shelter, medical help, counselling, skills training, and livelihood support. Ms Gupta said the government's role goes beyond direct cash aid. "Welfare is not just about handing out money, it also means rehabilitation, education, and livelihood support," she said. The Chief Minister has directed the departments to prioritise data accuracy, digitisation, and faster grievance redressal mechanisms. Officials now have two weeks to submit updated beneficiary lists, with field audits expected to follow. With budgets stretched and public scrutiny rising, the administration faces a key question- can it clean up the system and get support to those who truly need it?
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Rekha Gupta plans review of welfare schemes, eligible to get aid
NEW DELHI: CM Rekha Gupta on Monday announced that all existing welfare schemes will be reviewed to ensure only genuinely deserving individuals receive benefits, while those found ineligible will be removed. She also said the process of issuing digital ID cards to persons with disabilities (PwDs) will begin soon. Accusing the previous government of cheating underprivileged sections of society, she said, 'Many women who were not eligible were granted pensions unchecked. Our government will not allow such malpractice. Those who are truly eligible will receive financial assistance under all circumstances, but those found ineligible will be excluded.' The CM chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials from the Department of Social Welfare and the Department for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The meeting focused on reviewing and improving the implementation of schemes for economically and socially marginalised communities. Key schemes reviewed included the Financial Assistance for Senior Citizens, under which beneficiaries aged 60 and above—particularly from SC/ST and economically weaker backgrounds—receive Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 monthly. Over four lakh senior citizens have benefited so far. Another key initiative, the Assistance to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), offers Rs 2,500 per month to individuals with severe disabilities unable to support themselves. Around 1.34 lakh people have been aided under this scheme. The Delhi Family Benefit Scheme (DFBS) provides a one-time financial support of Rs 20,000 to families who have lost their primary breadwinner. So far, about 1,100 dependants have benefited. The SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme was also reviewed. It aims to rehabilitate individuals involved in begging through services like shelter, medical aid, counselling, skill training, and livelihood support. Gupta directed officials to take concrete steps to improve transparency, efficiency, and data digitisation. She said, 'Our aim is to establish a robust, inclusive, and sensitive support system. We will ensure that no deserving individual is left out, and public funds are used responsibly.' The meeting also addressed key challenges such as delays in disability certification, rehabilitation efforts for beggars, and the digitisation of beneficiary records. The CM instructed departments to resolve these swiftly and present a clear action plan.
